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FACE AND BODY

PAINTING IN COSTUMING

Sheryl Nance-Durst

The Embellished Body TYPES OF PAINT

�Don’t use it

�Why not?Pigments in acrylic paint are not approved

for use on skinWhen it dries, it cracks, peels & flakes off

ACRYLIC

� Mainly used for theatrical performances.� Do not use the kind from the Halloween stores!

� Application:Apply with sponges or makeup wedgesFinish with setting powder

� Removal:Remove as much as possible with tissues

firstRemove the rest with oil-based removers like

cold cream

� Brands – Ben Nye, Graftobian, and others

CREAM/OIL-BASED

Pros & Cons

� Pros:Water-resistantSweat-resistantEasy blendingVery opaque/good coverage

� Cons:Heavy-feelingSometimes heavy-looking/unrealistic up closeMust be set with powderRemoves with cold creamCan rub off on costume

CREAM/OIL-BASED

Glycerin vs Wax based

� Glycerin=smooth blending, good for bases

Brands - Mehron, Snazaroo, Kryolan, Ruby Red, Global, FAB, Graftobian ProPaint

� Wax=crisp lines, fine detailBrands - Wolfe, Diamond FX,

TAG

WATER-ACTIVATED

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Application

� Sponge Face paint, pottery, tack sponges

� BrushLarge artist brush or kabuki brush for

large areasUse small artist brushes for details, not craft brushes!

� Mist paint with water, mix in with brush or sponge until creamy

� AirbrushSolid paints must be liquefied to a very thin consistency or purchase liquid variety

WATER-BASED

Removal

�Soap and water

�If stains remain on skin, moisturize and wait 15 minutes,

wash again

WATER-BASED

Pros & Cons

� Pros:Easy application and removal Lots of colorsFairly inexpensiveEasily obtained

� Cons:Not waterproofCan be translucent/streaky if mixed too thinCan rub off on costume

WATER-BASED

Extending Wearing Time

� Use sweat reducer underneathNo Sweat, Mehron Skin Prep

� Use barrier/setting spray on top (try to use the brand by the same company as the paint for best compatibility)

Green Marble, Final Seal, Barrier Spray, Setting Spray

� Possibly use barrier spray between layers

� Do not get these sprays in your eyes, nose or mouth!

WATER-BASED

ALCOHOL-BASED

� Frequently used for temporary tattoos

� Can be solid or liquid form

� Solid form is activated with 99% alcohol

ALCOHOL-BASED

Application

� Solid form is usually applied with brushes and used for temporary tattoos

� Liquid form is usually applied with an airbrush

� Keep away from eyes

� (Some brands may require powdering to set)

Removal

� 91% or 99% alcohol

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ALCOHOL-BASED

Brands

�Temptu

�Reel Creations

�Kryolan Body Illustration Colors

�Graftobian Airbrush

�Phoenix Inkx

�Dura

�And others

ALCOHOL-BASED

Pros & Cons� Pros:

WaterproofLong-lastingGenerally doesn’t transfer to costumeGreat for tattoos

� Cons:99% alcohol is harsh on skinSometimes difficult to find 99% alcoholAlcohol fumes during application and removalDrinking alcohol may cause it to rub off

due to alcohol in sweatSome brands may require powdering to set

Application

� Moisturize with aloe vera gel or moisturizer and shave the area before painting

� Brush, roller or sponge-type applicator brush

� Multiple layers (3-4)

� 1 Layer of white as base to make colors pop

� Must be powdered (or sprayed with latex sealer) after final layer

� Do not powder in between layers

Removal

� Peels off

LIQUID LATEX

Pros & Cons

� Pros:WaterproofLong-wearingDoes not stain costumesAvailable in some local “adult” stores

� Cons:Latex allergiesAmmonia smell during applicationMust shave area before usingPeeling off may be painful on sensitive areasNot good on the faceSweatingSticks to itself until powderedWill wrinkle in bendy areas such as elbows

LIQUID LATEX

What is it?

PAX

What is it?

�PAX stands for ProsAide and LiquiteX

Adhesive + acrylic paintDeveloped to paint prostheticsProsAide is the adhesive used in glitter tattoos

� Try not to buy ProsAide in the winter. It looses it’s adhesive abilities if it gets frozen.

PAX

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Application

�Mix in a 1-to-1 ratio

�Apply using a brush or sponge like water-based paints

The brush or sponge used is generally trashed

�Must be powdered after applying

� It sticks to itself until powdered like liquid latex

�Do not get in hair!

PAX

Removal

�Requires special remover

�Takes a long time!

PAX

Pros & Cons

�Pros:Long-lastingWaterproofColor won’t transfer to costume

�Cons:Removal is a pain in the patooteePigments in acrylic paint aren’t supposed to

be used on skinSticks to itself until powderedWill wrinkle a little in bendy areas such as elbows

PAX

TIPS & TRICKS

� Plan out your design ahead of time

� If using water-activated paint, try to start with light-colored areas first.

� Allow enough time! Full body takes at LEAST 1-2 hours & that’s if it’s all one color without detail and you have a good helper.

� Leave the palms/inside of fingers, inside of elbows and armpits to do last, since they're most prone to rubbing right off again.

� Always test a new paint on a small area first to check for allergic reactions before covering your whole body with it.

APPLYING PAINT

� Do a full run-through BEFORE the day you need it to work out the

kinks.

APPLYING PAINT

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� For short term use, you can use stickers from the scrapbook aisle of your local craft store.

� For longer times, use ProsAide or spirit gum.

� If gluing items around eye area, use eyelash glue.

� Adhesives generally will not stick to cream makeup.

� Test to see if your chosen adhesive will adhere to your chosen paint.

� Works best with light-weight items such as gems, flower petals, etc.

ADDING BLINGS &

THINGS

� Try not to hug people! The other person might not be so happy if

your paint rubs off on THEIR costume.

� Anywhere your costume touches will wear paint off. Have a kit for

touch-ups. Think about basting a temporary lining into high contact areas like collars.

� If your character requires a full-body color & you want to play them often, paint a body suit.

� Any kind of paint is a problem on hands!

WEARING PAINT

� Bring your own towels to clean off with. Hotels won’t look

favorably on you for staining their white towels.

� When doing a full body paint, bring a trash bag or tarp to stand on.

� Also, you might have to bring something to sit on, because a lot of

hotels and restaurants don’t want the paint rubbing off and

staining their chairs.

CONVENTION TIPS

� Solid color paint reduces contrast & flattens facial contours, so try

contouring with a darker shade of the same color

PHOTOS &

COMPETITION

� Solid color paint reduces contrast & flattens facial contours, so try

contouring with a darker shade of the same color

� Exaggerate details so they can be seen from

a distance on stage, especially eyes and mouth.

PHOTOS &

COMPETITION

� Solid color paint reduces contrast & flattens facial contours, so try

contouring with a darker shade of the same color

� Exaggerate details so they can be seen from

a distance on stage, especially eyes and mouth.

� Matte generally works best for photo shoots.

Shimmer paint shows up as shiny/oily in photos.

� Glitter shows up as black flecks in photos unless it is clear glitter.

PHOTOS &

COMPETITION

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� Try local costume shops

(Madison=Mallatt's Pharmacy & Costume)

� Onlinewww.fxwarehouse.info – PAX paints, cream paints, some water-based

brands, alcohol-based paints, plain white latex, various fx makeup products

www.cosplaysupplies.com - cream paints, some water-based brands, colored latex body paint, various cosplay props & supplies

www.chitchattheclown.com – carries most brands of water-based paintwww.sillyfarm.com – carries many brands of water-based and

alcohol-based paint

WHERE TO GET IT